Former Oskar Blues National Sales Director Joins SanTan Brewing

SanTan Brewing Co. today announced the hiring of Wendy Weathers, who has been named the company’s new national business development manager.

Weathers, who most recently served as the national sales director for Oskar Blues, will be spearheading the Arizona-based brewery’s southwestern expansion efforts.

The brewery, which recently opened a new 35,000 square foot production facility in Chandler, AZ, said it will first expand its distribution footprint to include California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas.

“This position allows me to celebrate my passion for the business of beer as well as my love for the inner workings of the distributors, account and consumer relationship that are so important in this industry,” Weathers said in a press release.

Weathers will also be tasked with identifying new markets as well as developing relationships with distributors and sales representatives in each market to drive sales and educate consumers about the SanTan brand.

The full press release is below:

Chandler, Arizona — Just a few weeks after the official grand opening celebration at SanTan Brewing’s new 35,000 sq. ft. production facility, owner and brewer, Anthony Canecchia announced his plans to expand distribution of SanTan’s hand crafted beer into the southwest markets including California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas.

To help put those plans into action; SanTan Brewery has hired former Oskar Blues’ national sales director, Wendy Weathers, to head their national business development.

“We have been friends with Wendy for several years and couldn’t be happier about having her join our family at SanTan. Wendy’s passion for craft beer and accomplishments at Oskar Blues are two of the many traits that complement the culture of SanTan Brewing,” stated Canecchia.

In her tenure at Oskar Blues, Weathers worked her way up from a part time bookkeeper to sales coordinator before ultimately earning her place as national sales director.

About what attracted her to the position at SanTan, Weathers said, “I’m very excited to be a part of a forward-thinking, ambitious company that wants to grow their business in a way that keeps them grounded and enthusiastic about what we will be doing. This position allows me to celebrate my passion for the business of beer as well as my love for the inner workings of the distributors, account and consumer relationship that are so important in this industry.”

SanTan Brewing Company is the second largest craft brewery in the state of Arizona and the 14th fastest growing craft brewery in the nation according to the Brewers Association data of 2012. Weathers’ goal will be to identify and develop expansion efforts into new markets. This will entail analyzing and developing relationships with distributors and accounts as well as creating marketing/business plans to drive sales, specific to each territory. In addition, her goal will be to identify sales representatives in each market that will help educate consumers and tell the SanTan story.

SanTan‘s core brands, Devil’s Ale, HopShock IPA and GABF award winning seasonal, Mr. Pineapple Wheat, will be the focus of SanTan’s expansion into the new markets. Weathers can be reached at wendy@santanbrewing.com.

About SanTan Brewing Company

Open since 2007 under the leadership of head brewer and owner, Anthony Canecchia, SanTan Brewing Company has established a strong reputation as one of Arizona’s favorite craft breweries. In addition to brewing, SanTan features a friendly neighborhood brewpub in Downtown Chandler, which has quickly become one of the top local food and beer destinations in the Phoenix metro area.

In 2009, SanTan Brewing began distributing their core and seasonal brews throughout the state of Arizona, operating with a mission to pair craft beer with craft food that would inspire great conversation and good times. 2014 marks the beginning of taking this journey throughout the Southwest and California.

SanTan beers have won numerous national and statewide awards including two medals at the US Open Beer Championship: bronze in 2013 and gold in 2011. SanTan Brewing also took home a silver medal at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival and won Best Brewery in Arizona, selected by the Phoenix New Times and the Arizona Republic, in 2013 and 2011.